With a single word from Kaito, Olivia’s heart was thrown into such disarray that she could hardly remember her previous state of tranquility. Her thoughts spun in endless, erratic circles; she couldn't even tell if she was overwhelmed by joy or simple confusion.
(W-Why am I so shaken? That comment was surely just a social courtesy. The literature I studied mentioned such exchanges... The correct response is to offer a smile and a word of thanks. That should be all there is to it.)
Logically, she understood this. She had even spent days rehearsing her reactions for this exact scenario. However, theory and practice rarely aligned in the real world. Even though she had considered the possibility that Kaito might compliment her outfit and had prepared a countermeasure, the reality of his praise had turned her mind into a blank slate. Her entire defense had collapsed.
"...Olivia-san?"
"Ah, p-please excuse me! A-Ah, th-th-thank you very much! To receive such words from Kaito-sama is the absolute height of honor... And as for Kaito-sama... as for your appearance..."
The shock was profound, but she managed to squeeze out a response to his compliment. Though her current state bore no resemblance to the dignified figure she had imagined during her rehearsals, she had at least cleared the first hurdle.
Feeling she had to keep the momentum going, Olivia attempted to return the praise. Since he had admired her clothes, the standard response was to admire his. Yet, contrary to her plans, the words refused to form.
(...Is he not simply too magnificent? I feel as though a divine aura is radiating from him. Even under normal circumstances, Kaito-sama’s appearance is so sublime that one might call him a World’s Treasure—a brilliance truly worthy of the Incarnation of the Sun. But today, in these clothes... Can a mere change of outfit alter one’s atmosphere so drastically!? Everything is brought together with such smart, high-dimensional elegance that it is difficult to even look at him directly. Is this not a Divine Appearance that should be captured with the latest model recording magic tool, encased in the highest-grade picture frame, and enshrined within a prayer room?)
Kaito was wearing the outfit he had purchased in the Hydra Kingdom. Compared to his usual casual wear, it gave him a markedly more mature, sophisticated air.
Olivia was utterly spellbound by the sight. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and her mouth moved soundlessly like a fish out of water as she struggled to find her voice.
In the days leading up to this moment, Olivia had indeed sharpened her spirit. She had sublimated her anxieties and idle thoughts, converting them into pure gratitude toward Kaito.
However, that process had essentially involved raising her affection for him to its absolute limit while dwelling on him almost constantly. In truth, what had reached its peak within Olivia was not a calm, detached spirit, but her overwhelming devotion to Kaito.
This was why she was reacting so explosively to his casual praise. Even on an average day, she held him in such high regard that she praised him constantly in her heart; seeing him today, looking twice as handsome as usual, had left her completely defenseless.
Rather than achieving a composed mind, she had arrived at the date in a state far more vulnerable to Kaito than ever before.
"...M-My sincerest apologies for my repeated discourtesy. Kaito-sama’s attire is also truly marvelous. I thank the heavens from the bottom of my heart that I could behold your Divine Appearance today."
"Thank you. Once again, I’m looking forward to spending the day with you."
"Y-Yes! Please, leave everything to me!"
To use Alice’s terminology, Olivia had officially entered Romance Bottom-tier Mode. Still, she managed to claw back a shred of composure—or at least a thin veneer of it—to move the conversation forward.
The fact that they had a set itinerary was her saving grace. Even if she was internally falling apart, she only had to follow the pre-arranged schedule.
"Well then, let us head to the destination at once. Kaito-sama, Mizuhara Kaori, I shall begin the teleportation... Hand... Ah... Um... Y-Your... h-ha... hand... No, please just touch me anywhere... Ah, no, as I thought, please take my hand..."
"Right, we need to be in contact to teleport together. Then, if you’ll excuse me."
"Hauh!?"
"Eh? Oh, sorry."
"N-N-No! I-It is fine! There is no problem whatsoever! Please, I shall take your hand."
"...I've never seen Olivia-sama this flustered before. Kaito-kun is really something else..."
Reacting excessively to even the smallest gesture, Olivia continued to struggle for a semblance of calm. With a heart full of anxiety regarding the rest of the day, she activated her teleportation magic.
Serious-senpai: "Talk about Romance Bottom-tier Mode... But you know, unlike Alice, Olivia tries to keep moving even when she's in that state. It feels like most of her patterns involve her just running headlong into her own self-destruction."